the knight they had harboured was he who had slain Sir Marhaus.  Then the King, sore perplexed, went to Sir Tristram’s chamber, where he found him fully armed, ready to get to horse.  And Tristram told him all the truth, how in fair fight he had slain Sir Marhaus.  “Ye did as a knight should,” said King Anguish; “and much it grieves me that I may not keep you at my court; but I cannot so displease my Queen or barons.”  “Sir,” said Tristram, “I thank you for your courtesy, and will requite it as occasion may offer.  Moreover, here I pledge my word, as I am good knight and true, to be your daughter’s servant, and in all places and at all times to uphold her quarrel.  Wherefore I pray you that I may take my leave of the princess.”

Then, with the King’s permission, Sir Tristram went to the Fair Isolt and told her all his story; “And here,” said he, “I make my vow ever to be your true knight, and at all times and in all places to uphold your quarrel.”  “And on my part” answered the Fair Isolt, “I make promise that never these seven years will I marry any man, save with your leave and as ye shall desire.”  Therewith they exchanged rings, the Fair Isolt grieving sore the while.  Then Sir Tristram strode into the court and cried aloud, before all the barons:  “Ye knights of Ireland, the time is come when I must depart.  Therefore, if any man have aught against me, let him stand forth now, and I will satisfy him as I may.”  Now there were many present of the kin of Sir Marhaus, but none dared have ado with Sir Tristram; so, slowly he rode away, and with his squire took ship again for Cornwall.

CHAPTER XIV

HOW KING MARK SENT SIR TRISTRAM TO FETCH HIM A WIFE

When Sir Tristram had come back to Cornwall, he abode some time at the court of King Mark.  Now in those days the Cornish knights were little esteemed, and none less than Mark himself, who was a coward, and never adventured himself in fair and open combat, seeking rather to attack by stealth and have his enemy at an advantage.  But the fame of Sir Tristram increased daily, and all men spoke well of him.  So it came to pass that King Mark, knowing himself despised, grew fearful and jealous of the love that all men bore his nephew; for he seemed in their praise of him to hear his own reproach.  He sought, therefore, how he might rid himself of Tristram even while he spoke him fair and made as if he loved him much, and at the last he bethought him how he might gain his end and no man be the wiser.  So one day, he said to Tristram:  “Fair nephew, I am resolved to marry, and fain would I have your aid.”  “In all things, I am yours to command,” answered Sir Tristram.  “I pray you, then,” said King Mark, “bring me to wife the Fair Isolt of Ireland.  For since I have heard your praises of her beauty, I may not rest unless I have her for my Queen.”  And this he said thinking that, if ever Sir Tristram set foot in Ireland, he would be slain.